Tufting machine



March l2, 1940.

F. M. MURPHEY 2,193,109

TUFTING MACHINE Filed sept. 4, 193e ys sheets-sheet 1 March 12, 1940.I i F. M. MURPHEY 2,193,109

, TUFTING MACHINE l Filed Sept. 4, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 9, r A TTORNEJS.

T s i 95 v March 12, 1940.

F. M. MURPHEY TUFTING MACHINE Filed Sept. 4, 1936 3 Sheets-SheeTI 5 -M By 23% 9 ATTORNEYS.

Patented Mar. 12, 1949 UNITED stares *MET oFFicE TUFTING MACHINE Floyd M. Murphey, Adria-n, Mich Application september 4, i936, semaine. 99,357`

4 claims. (or. i12-79) December 27, 1932; and No. 1,912,560, issued June` 13, `1933, upon which the invention of the present application is an improvement.

By reference to these prior patents above mentioned, the distinguishing features, advancements and improvements of the invention disclosed in the present application will readily become clear.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a machine for forming a line of tufts on a fabric material for the purpose of creating an attractive and distinctive surface finish therefor.

The present invention contemplates the provisions of a machine adapted to accomplish this end, which machine has fewer moving parts `and fewer parts generally than has heretofore been considered necessary in commercial machines of this general type. p

Still further, the `present invention` contemplates the provision of an attachment adapted primarily for installation in conventionalv commercial sewing machines, which attachment is considerably simpler than the attachments here- `tofore known and available and in which the mechanism has been 'greatlysimpliem thus elimnating compoundl moving parts such as have heretofore been considered necessary.

Yet `another object of the present invention consists in the provision of` an attachment adapted `for use in connection with sewingmachnes of conventional commercial construction in which substantially less modification of the existing machine is` required in order to satis- `factorily install the improved attachment.

It is a still further object ci the present inw-:ri-`

i tion to provide an attachment `for use in connection with sewing machines, `which is considerably more flexible in operation than attach- 50' ments'of this type as heretofore known and in Still further, the `present invention contemplates `a construction ofthis general character in which the mechanism has been so, substantially simplified that a higher speed of twelve to fteen hundred stitches per minute may satisfactorily` be attained, while the structure contemplated bymachines of this general type as now used are capable of forming only seven to eight hundred stitches per minute.

i Yet another object of the present invention consists of the provision of an attachment for. sewing machines of the type described. above in` which a substantially decreased number of mechanical movements is utilizedland in which the necessary mechanical movements are in each instance considerably simpliiied.v Yet another object of the present invention consists in the provision of a machine of Vthis general character which is so constructedand arranged that the normally necessaryA `thread tensioning devices commonly used in sewing machinos of this general character are eliminated.

Still further, the present invention contemplates the provision of a hollow needle foruse in connection with machines of this generic type which in combination with thepower mechanism serves to provide an exceedingly satisfactory resultant product.

Many other and further objects, advantages, and features ofthe present invention will becomev clearly apparent from the `following specification when consideredin connection with the accom-I panying drawings forming a part thereof.

In the drawings:`

Figure 1 is a side elevational view with parts in section and parts broken awayillustrating in detail a commercial sewing machine of substantially conventional construction and having the improved attachment of the present invention embodied therein. l

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary rear perspective view of the improved attachment mounted in the machine illustrating in detail the parts thereof and the cooperative relation therebetween.

Fig. 3 isA avertical longitudinal .sectional view through the attachment mechanism shown in Fig.

2 illustrating in detail the construction and arrangement of parts thereof and showing the manner in which the stitching needle of the machine cooperates therewith. i

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary` transverse sectional viewtaken substantiallyon the line 4,-4

of Fig. l illustrating in detail the construction and arrangement of the parts of the improved mechanism.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line 5--5 of Fig. 3 illustrating in detail a portion of the cut-off mechanism.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line 5--6 of Fig. 3 illustrating in detail the reciprocable members constituting the loop forming mechanism and cutfoif mechanism.

Fig. '7 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line I-'I of Fig. 3, and similar to Figs. 5 and 6. illustrating in further detail the parts making up the loop forming :and cut-off mechanism of the machine.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view with parts in plan and parts in section taken substantially on the line 8-8 of Fig. 3 illustrating in detail the loop forming mechanism and cut-off mechanism at the beginning of a stitch forming operation.

Fig. 9 is a plan view similar to Fig. 8 illustrating the manner in which the loop is planned prior to the actuation of the cut-off mechanism.

Fig. 10 is a longitudinal plan view similar to Figs. 8 and 9 illustrating in detail the operation of the cut-off mechanism and the manner in which the loop is severed.

n Fig. 11 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken substantially on the `line II-II of Fig. 1

. illustrating in detail the manner in which the loop atr forming mechanism and cut-off mechanism cooperate with the stitching needle of the machine in order to form the tufts of material.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary sectional View similar toFig. 11 illustrating in detail the actuation of the cut-off mechanismin the specific manner in which it engages the loops of fabric to be cut.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary sectional View taken through a section of fabric which has been stitched by theY mechanism of the present invention.

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. 12 illustrating in detail one of the tufts and the manner in which the same may be spread out in order to achieve the desired decorative effect.

With more particular reference to the drawings and specifically to Fig. 1 `thereof it will be seen that the sewing machine generally comprises a base I5 onwhich is rigidly mounted a needle supporting arm I6 which serves to support the needle and needle operating mechanism hereinafter described indetail. This arm I5 at itsouter'end carries a pair` of guides I'I in which is reciprocably mounted a needle actuating shaft I8. This shaft. I8 is provided with an eyelet I9 at its upper end adapted to receive a line of cord or thread 2E! which passes downwardly along the shaft I8 to a needle 22 removably mounted in the lower end of the shaft I8 by means of a chuck 23 or similar releasable socket.` As is clearly seen in Figs. 3 and 11. the needle 22 is of generally protecting a portion of the cord from contact with the cloth during the piercing operation. The utility of this needle structure with relation to the apparatus of the present invention will-become more clearly apparent hereinafter.

The cord or thread 20 may be fed from a suitable supply ball or reel, not shown, directly to the eyelet I3 at the upper end of the needle shaft and it is noted that the conventional tensioning devices commonly used in sewing machines of this general character are not necessary in connection with the present apparatus. The needle operating arm has a casting 30 lsecured thereto which is pivotally connected by means of a link 3| with a bell crank arm 32 which serves to actuate the needle and effect vertical reciprocatory movement thereof. As is conventional in constructions of this general character the bell crank arm 32 is pivoted at a stationary point 33 on the stationary arm I6 of the apparatus and on the opposite side of the pivot 33 is provided with a pair of projecting arms 35 and 3%, respectively. The arm 35 projects beyond the rear end of the machine and has rigidly mounted therein a ball member 3l to which the upper end of a pitman shaft 38 is universally connected as is conventional in the art. The machine as a whole is adapted to be driven by means of a belt, not shown, passing over a pulley l0 which is secured to the end of a longitudinally extending shaft 4I rotatably mounted in suitable bearings in the base frame I5 of the machine. Adjacent thepulley fl! is mounted a ball member 44 the peripheral surface of which is generally spherical and which serves to provide means for connecting the lower end of the pitman 38. Consequently it will be apparent that rotation of the shaft 4I serves to effect reciprocation of the arm 35 of the bell crank 32 and consequent vertical reciprocation of the needle shaft I8 and needle 22 which is carried thereby. As is conventional in constructions of this general character the eccentricity of the ball member 4D is sufficient to produce a stroke of the desired length and pass the needle 23 through the fabric'being operated on the pre-k determined amount required.

The arm I6 carries a vertically adjustable foot member 50 secured to the lower end of a vertically movable shaft 5I which maybe conveniently adjusted to raised or lowered. position in order to engage the upper surface of the fabric passing through the machine and cooperate with the mechanism hereinafter described for effecting a positive feed of the fabricmaterial through the machine at a predetermined desired rate. The feeding mechanism for feeding the fabric through the machine includes a generally circular wheel secured to the forward end of the shaft lII. This wheel 55 has a crankarm 56 projecting therefrom which crank arm is eccentrically mounted with respect to the axis of rotation of the shaft 4I. The crank arm 55 has pivotally mounted thereon a link 51 to the opposite end of which is pivotally connected a projecting arm 58 integrally formed with a reciprocable frame 59 pivotally mounted uponk a longitudinally extending shaft Sli secured to the base frame I5 of the machine generally.

The frame 59 serves to support a longitudinally extending shaft 63 which has journalled thereon a fitting 543 which projects over the shaft M and is provided at its forward end with a toothed fabric engaging member B5 adapted to normally lie in a position immediately beneath the foot member 50. As is clearly seen by reference to Fig. 1 the foot member 5E! comprises a pair of portions which extend on either side of the needle 22 and the feed member S5 may likewise be bifurcated to provide a pair of portions cooperat ing with the complemental portions of the foot member 50. A cam member 10 is rigidly secured to the shaft 4| at the point over which the fitting 64 passes and this cam member will consequently effect a vertical reciprocation of the fabric engaging portions 65 which are mountedl on this fitting as the shaft 4I is rotated. A plane surfaced table 15 is ri-gidly mounted with respect to the machine and is provided with suitable apertures therein adjacent the foot member and fabric engaging portions of the feed member in order` that as the vertical reciprocation of the feed member is effected by the cam 10 these serrated feed members will be moved to a position slightly above the plane of the table surface. It will be apparent due to the action of the crank 56 and frame 59, that as the shaft 4| is rotated the fitting 6.4 will be reciprocated in a transverse plane as well as in a vertical plane consequently providing a Substantially rectilinear movement of the serrated fabric engaging members 65 which are secured to the fitting B4. This rectilinear movement serves to effect the feed of fabric material over the table 15 as the shaft 4| is rotated due to the engagement of the serrated feed members 65 with the under-surface of the cloth. It will be seen that the cloth is urged into engage ment with these members by the resiliently mounted foot member 50. The above described construction is substantially conventional in sewing machines now in commercial use and has been described in detail only in order that a more complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained.

The apparatus ofthe present invention in` cludes a longitudinally disposed axially recipro-` cable shaft 80 which is' mounted in suitable bearings 8| and which serves to actuate the mechanism hereinafter described in detail. It will be apparent that the bearings 8| are integrally formed on a framework 95 which has a longitudinally extending flat base portion adapted to be removably mounted upon the base of the machine. This removable mounting may'conveniently be effected by means of dowel pins 91 extending into the complemental apertures in the member 95 in the base I5 and these two mem-` guide block 83 which is locked against-.relative rotation with respect to the `shaft 80 by means of a set screw 84. The guideblock 831has preferably integrally formed therewith a pair of substantially parallel extending arms 85 which areV adapted to lie on either side of the main rotary drive shaft 4|. The body of the guide blockis preferably slotted to provide a recess 86 and has extending through the block an adjusting set screw 81 which due to the inherent resiliency of the material from which the block is formed i may be used for the purpose of `adjusting the l position of the arms with respect to each other eral surface of a hard metal collar `90 locked in position co-axially on the shaft 4| by means of a set screw 9|.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that` due to the fact that the block 83 is locked against rotation with respectl to the shaft 80 and that the arms of this block engage diametrically opposite pointson the periphery of the collar 90 which is secured to the shaft 4| this block 83 serves to prevent any rotational movementof the shaft 80 in its bearings and at the same time serves to permit relatively friction free axial movement of the shaft |30. Further it will be clear that the set screw 81 may be ad- J'ustedin` order that the hard metal inserts 8|!` will snugly engage the periphery of the collar 90. p

It will be seenthat due to the fact that during the operation of the machine the shaft 4| and consequently thecollar 90 are constantly rotated the longitudinal movement of the hard metal inserts over the surface of this collar 'will be `relatively friction free thus permitting free longitudinal movement of the shaft 80 in its bearings and at the same time positively precluding rotation of this shaft about its axis. Further itwill be apparent that adjustment of the screw 81 provides convenient means for maintaining the inserts snugly in engagement with the peripheral surface of the collar 90 and further due to the removable mounting of the inserts they may be conveniently replaced from time to time as may be necessary.

Longitudinal movement of the shaft 80 is effected `by means of4 a pitman rod |00 which is universally connected to a ball member |0|' rigidly secured to the block 83 as isl clearly seen in Fig. 4. The opposite end lof this pitman may be universally secured to a corresponding ball member |02 providing a universal connection .for the opposite end of the pitman rod |00 with the projecting arm 36 of the actuating bell crank 32. Consequently it will be apparent that as rotation of theshaft 4|` takes place producing pivotal movement of the bell crank 32 longitudinalmovement of the shaft 8| will take place throughout a predetermined limited range.

The longitudinal central zone of .the shaft 80 vhas the under-surface thereof flattened at |05 as l is clearly seen in Fig. 3. A block i0@ is adapted to partially surround the shaft 80 at this point and has' a plate |01 secured to the lower surface thereof which plate is adapted to engage the attened surface |05 and prevent relative rotational movement of the block 09 with respect to the shaft 80. The plate |01 is secured in positionv by means of suitable cap screws |09 threadably tion serves to closely engage all surfaces of the shaft 00 in the longitudinal central zone thereof. A pair of collars ||0 are locked on the shaft by `means of setl screws and mounted in axially spaced positions on either side of the block |06. Helical compression coil springs ||2 are preferably `confined between each of these collars Il i and theblock |06 in order to resilient-ly position the same `between the `two collars `thus permitting limited longitudinal movement of the block |05 with respect to the shaft 80 which longitudinal movement is resiliently limited by one or the other of the springs H2. This conreceived by the block and when secured in posi-` "struction affords' a lost motion connection between the shaft and the block |06 at the same` time precluding relative rotational between these members. v A stationary gripping jaw.V ||5 is rigidly movement mounted upon. a projection or post` H6 formed on the'base 95 adjacent the needle of the machine. The face of this jaw member H5 lies closely adjacent the path of the needle and serves to cooperate with a movable jaw member H3 which comprises a relatively long fiat strip rigidly secured by means of set screws ||9 to the upper surface of the block |06. This movable gripping jaw H8 is slightly offset in its central portion and has a generally rectangular slot |20 formed centrally thereof, the purpose and function of which will hereinafter become more clear. Secured to the underside of the forward end of the jaw member i8 isa plate |22 which at its forward end carries a projecting finger |23 which is adapted to enter between the needle and the thread carried by the needle in order to form a loop of such thread as the needle moves upwardly in its path. Thev plate |22 is secured in spaced relation to the underside of the jaw member i8 by means of a pair of cap screws 25 thus providing a channel-way or recess in which slides a cutter blade |21. This cutter blade is adapted to cooperate with a fixed cutter |23 permanently secured to the lower side of the jaw member H5 by means of a screw |29. The forward edge of this cutter bar is cut off at a slight angle throughout a substantial portion of its forward face in order to obtain an eective shearing action as it cooperates with the stationary cutter |28 and is provided with a forwardly projecting finger |30 which slideably engages the under surface of the stationary cutting blade |28 in order to preclude the possibility of the cutting edges of these members'` coming into engagement in abutting relation. The rear end of the movable cutter |21 has secured theretoa transversely extending member lI-H the ends of which extend outwardly beyond l the sides of the gripping member H0 and serve to provide means for mounting a pair of springs 32, the opposite ends of which springs are anchored on suitable pins |33 rigidly mounted in the sides of the member l I8. It will be seen that y* the springs |32 serve to maintain the movable cutter member |21 in retracted position with respect tothe gripper member at all times except y when this cutter ispositively moved as' hereinafter described.

It will be seen by reference to Figs. 3 and 8 to 10,r inclusive, that the rear end of the movable cutter member $21 terminates at a point substantially centrally of the slot |29 formed in the gripping member IES and that the offset portion of the gripping member |13 provides a shoulder |35 on the lower side of this member which n shoulder serves to provide an abutment limiting rearward movement of the cutter member with respect to the gripping member i8. An actuating nger |36 is rigidly secured to the forward end of the shaft by means of a suitable set screw |31 and as is clearly seen in Fig. 3 this actuating finger extends upwardly through the slot |20 in a position where it may conveniently engage the rear end of the cutter blade HT'.

In addition a bracket |50 is secured to the bed of the apparatus which bracket carries a rigidly projecting stop arm |5| which is adapted to project into the path of movement of the block |06 and limit rearward movement thereof.

The operation of the apparatus is substantially as follows: A section of fabric material |80 on which it is desired to produce the tufted effect by use of the present machine is fed into the machine and will automatically be fed underneath the needle by means of the feed mechanism describedy above as is conventional in sewing machines of this general character. As the shaft 4| is rotated the needle will descend piercing a hole in the cloth M0 and carrying a loop of the thread 20 therethrough. The mechanism of the attachment described above is also actuated by the needle actuating arm 32 and as the needle starts its upward movement it will be seen that the shaft 80 will be moved forwardly toward the needle by means of the pitman shaft |09 which, as has been described above, is connected to the projecting arm 36 of the actuating bell crank 32. Forward movement of this shaft 80 serves to cause the finger |23 to pass closely adjacent the needle 22 and this iinger is so actuated that it is adapted to enter between the needle and the section of thread which passes out of the end' of the needle. Consequently as upward movement of the needle takes place the loop of thread will be retained on the under surface of the cloth. It will be seen that as further forward movement of the shaft 053 with respect to the needle takes place the movable gripping jaw H8 will be urged toward the stationary jaw H5 by means of the spring l l2 which serves to provide a resilient lost motion connection between the block itl@ and the shaft 80.

The mechanism is preferably so timed that these jaws will not come into engagement until the needle has risen suiciently far to be out from between these jaws. Upon engagement of the jaws the lower end of the loop of thread will be firmly gripped therebetween thus virtually preventing further relative movement of the jaws HS and H5. Consequently the spring H2 will be compressed upon further movement of' the shaft 80 in a direction toward the needle thus eifecting relative movement between the shaft 80 and the jaw member |58. inasmuch as the actuating finger |36 is carried by the shaft 85 a relative forward movement of this ringer will take place in the slot |20 and effect relative forward movement of the cutting blade |21 to sever the tip from the loop of thread which`- as has been described above, is gripped between the jawmembers VH8 and' H5. These jaws are retained in overlapping relation at all times by means of the projecting portion |30 on the movable jaw member which slidably engages the under surface of the stationary cutter blade |20. After the movable cutter blade |21 has been moved forwardly suliiciently far to sever the tip of the loop of thread the first half of the cycle of movement is substantially complete.

This complete severance will occur at substantially the same time as the needle reaches its maximum height. As the needle starts to descend the shaft 80 will move rearwardly disengaging the movable cutter from its stationary blade and permitting the rear end of this movable cutter blade to seat against the shoulder |35 at which time further rearward movement of the shaft 80 will serve to eifect a disengagement of the gripping jaws Hi and H5 and as the needle descends further the parts will be moved to substantially the position shown in 3. The descent of the needle serves to pierce a second hole and bring down another thread which will be acted upon in substantially the manner described above. it will be noted that the gripping jaw |21 remains engaged until the needle reaches substantially the point where it is adapted to enter between the jaws and consequently these jaws serve to aid in retaining the Iii) Gil

lin

loop of thread in position and maintain one end of the thread anchored during a large portion of the downward movement of the needle, consequently greatly aiding in pulling the thread through the hollow needle to form the next loo-p.

It will be clear that the block liil is also mounted on the shaft 8l! and that relative rotational movement of this block with respect to the shaft is virtually precluded. Likewise it will be apparent that the bifuroated member 83 serves to preclude any possiblerelative rotational movement of the shaft all about its axis, consequently maintaining the parts in accurately aligned relation at all times, yet facilitating relative longitudinal or axial movement thereof.

It will be appreciated that the above described embodiment of the invention is merely illustrative of the generic inventive concept presented. Many other andfurth-er modifications thereof falling within the scope of the invention defined in the subjoined claims will become clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:

1. Tuft forming mechanism adapted for at-v and a movable cutter also disposed in a substantially horizontal plane adapted to cooperate with said stationary cutter, said movable cutter and jaw connected to said shaft and adapted for actuation thereby.

2. Tuft forming mechanism adapted for attachment to a sewing machine including a base member, cooperating jaws` on said base member adjacent the needle of said machine, cooperating cutter plates likewise mounted on said base member immediately beneath said jaws and movable independently thereof, said cutter plates being disposed in a generally horizontal plane, a longitudinally disposed shaft for actuating said jaws and cutters, andy means connecting said` shaft to said machine to operate the same synchronously therewith.

`3. An attachment for sewing machines having an actuating arm for `elifecting vertical reciprorectly to and immediately beneath said jaw, a`

shaft mounted for longitudinal reciprocation in said base member, a movable rgripping jaw carried by said shaft and adapted to engage said stationary jaw, a cutter carried by said movable jaw member and adapted tocooperate with the stationary cutter carried by said stationary' jaw and means interconnecting said shaft withthe needle actuating arm of said machine to eifect reciprocation thereof synchronously with the movement of the needle of said machine.

4. An attachment for sewingfmachines comprising means .for forming a loop of thread, a pair of` relativelymovable jaws adapted to grip and hold said loop of thread, means for effecting relative movement of said jaws to grip said loop,

cutting mechanism comprising a pair of cooperating cutters having their edges disposed in substantially horizontal planes, one of said cutters being reciprocably mounted with respect to one of said jaws and means for actuating said gripping means, said last mentioned means also serving to actuate said cutting knives.

FLOYD M. MURPHEY. 

